Critic’s choice

Featuring a dynamic cast of men and women from Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, Guangzhou Dream Factory weaves the stories of Africans chasing alluring, yet elusive, “Made in China” dreams into a compelling critique of 21st century global capitalism. MORE about <em>Guangzhou Dream Factory</em>

San Francisco artist Jennie Smith infuses her detailed drawings of the natural world with an imaginative sensibility.

Viewing hours are generally M-F, 9 am- 4 pm. The exhibit space also used for events and meetings; please call (510) 643-9670 or email in advance to confirm availability.MORE about Jennie Smith, new drawings

Images from the Bay Area alternative press, psychedelic rock posters and mailers, documentary photographs of the Haight-Ashbury scene and major rock concerts, and material from the personal papers of author Joan Didion and poet Michael McClure are featured in this exhibit marking the 50th anniversary of the 1967 “Summer of Love.” MORE about The Summer of Love 50th Anniversary

Jennifer Huang (violin), Nate Ben-Horin (piano), perform the Brahms Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major. Carol Yao and James Lim present duets for two pianos: Mozart Magic Flute Overture and Lutoslwawki Variations on a Theme of Paganini.MORE about Music for two

Microsoft recently announced a five-year partnership with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s resident and chief legal officer and His Excellency Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights will discuss the partnership’s objective to use technology to promote and protect human rights around the world. MORE about Utilizing technology to protect freedom of expression

At this conference, local and international scholars, explore the philosophies, texts, arts, and practices of Mongolian Buddhism. As Carolingians did with Christianity and Abbasids for Islam, Mongols have determined the history of Buddhism. MORE about Mongolian Buddhism

Raised in Minnesota and Oaxaca, Mexico, classically trained vocalist Lila Downs sings of a Pan-American social consciousness, drawing on folk and ranchera music of Mexico and South America, and American folk, jazz, blues, and hip-hop—blending irreverent and fun themes with serious social and political concerns.MORE about Lila Downs

Notorious as the first film banned by Mao and the PRC, The Life of Wuxun tells the real-life story of a Qing dynasty–era peasant who devoted his life to free education for all.MORE about <em>The Life of Wuxun</em>

Peggy Schafer, owner/operator of the Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm outside Petaluma, presents a lecture on growing Chinese botanicals for beauty and medicine, followed by a one hour walk in the Chinese medicinal herb garden. MORE about Gardening with Chinese herbs in the Bay

Liat Berdugo, assistant professor of art and architecture at the University of San Francisco, discusses her work which strives to create an expanded and thoughtful consideration for digital culture. She collaborates widely with individuals and archives.MORE about Liat Berdugo

This symposium will explore how new media and modes of digital expression are transforming our experience of, and shaping conversations around free speech. The discussion will open with an address from Chancellor Carol Christ and feature a keynote from Robert Reich, professor of public policy.MORE about Free speech in the age of social media

The creator of The Simpsons, Matt Groening, and cartoonist and author of Ernie Pook’s Comeek, Lynda Barry, reminisce about 40 years of friendship and creativity.MORE about Matt Groening and Lynda Barry

In his new book, Free Speech on Campus, Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley Law School, and his co-author Howard Gillman, chancellor and professor of law, political science, and history at UC Irvine, argue that campuses must provide supportive learning environments for an increasingly diverse student body but at the same time must never restrict the expression of ideas. MORE about <em>Free Speech on Campus</em>, Erwin Chemerinsky